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Sunday, January 15, 2012

Happy Birthday Dr. King

Happy Birthday To You!!!!﻿

Today we celebrate and reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Such an emotional day for me. I think back to when I was a little girl and what life was like for me growing up in Alabama. Living under segregation and the still very present Jim Crow Laws, you often wonder how you got over.

I remember when the county integrated the high schools. My sister cried for days. She wanted to stay at her old high school with her friends and teachers who loved and cared for her.

The elementary schools were already integrated. There was a huge furor and push back on both sides. This is a picture of the Little Rock 9--Tennessee, just north of us.

We have come a long way since those days but we still have yet a long way to go. In Dr. King's Drum Major for Justice Instincts he speaks about his living not being in vain. From my viewpoint it has not been in vain.

There are so many people out today seeking justice for all. Although many have been kicked out and groups disbanned, the DC government is presently allowing the Occupy DC protestors in Freedom Plaza and McPherson Square to remain where they are. Just what are they protesting against while enduring the frigid temperatures and rat infestations? Wall Street, Corporate greed and Income Inequality. Like Dr. King says if we don't stand up for the disenfranchised, who will?

Remember the Woolworth sit-ins?

The more things change the more they remain the same.

It is hard to soften a man's heart that has turned to stone. Notice I say hard not impossible. Paul, one of God's greatest apostles, was once one of his ardent enemies. If God can change the heart of Saul/Paul nothing is impossible.

As a matter of fact the Bible tells us that all things are possible with God. Matthew 19:26.

Although Dr. King is no longer walking with us, his legacy is. It is easy to say what we would have, could have done were we with him in Washington, Montgomery and Memphis. The question is, what will you do now? Do you say, I am going to mind my own business? Let everyone fend for themselves? It wasn't me. On which side will you stand?

Joshua says it better than I ever could. 24:15

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Donnie McClurkin sings, I've got my mind made up and I won't turn back. As we go forward let's keep the main thing the main thing. I agree with Suze Orman's people first, then money, then things.

Zachary's father shares the same birthday as Dr. King. Like Dr. King, he also was gone too soon. Happy Birthday Ian!!!

Dr. King helped open the door, it's up to all of us to walk through it. Thank you for your beautiful post. I believe we meet people for a reason, via the internet or otherwise. Too much to explain in this short note, but today was dreadful and you just snapped me out of it. Thank you.